Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 646,98l. Pate A. MI. GRIFFIN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.-

(Application led Sept. 30, 1898.)

(No Model.)

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. No. 646,98I. Patented Apr. I0, |900.

A. M. GRIFFIN.

ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Appl cat on filed Sept 80 1898) 2 Shevets-Shet 2.

(No Model.)

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PATENT OFFICE.

AllVAll M. GRIFFIN, OF MARYSVILLE, KANSAS, ASSIGNOR TO THE GRIFFIN GASCOMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

ACETYLEN E-GAS G EN ERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 646,981, dated April10, 1900. Application filed September 30,1898. Serial No. 692,312. (Nomodel.)

To all) whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALvAH M. GRFFIN, a citizen of theUnited States,residing at Marysville, in the county of Marshall andSta-te of Kansas,have invented a new and useful Improvement in Acetylene-Gas Generators,of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to acetylene-gas generators; and it has for itsobject to provide a 1o simple and practical generator of this typespecially designed for use in connection with street-lamps.

To this end the invention primarily contemplates an improvedconstruction of acety-v iene-gas generator made of a minimum number ofparts which can be readily taken apart and assembled together tofacilitate the operation of recharging the generator. The constructionof the generator also specially adapts the same for supplying a singlelight, such as for a street-lamp post, as the invention provides meansfor supplying gas to a single jet for a prescribed period at a uniformpressure, so as to produce a clear steady z 5 `Iianie particularlyadapted for street-lighting.

A further object of the inventionis the provision of novel means forhousing or protecting the generator, so that the same can be placed atany suitable depth in the ground adjacent to a lamp-post and at the sametime be thoroughly protected from foreign infinences, and especiallyfrost, While at the same time being readily accessible for the purposeof recharging. l With these and other objects in view the inventionconsists in the novel construction, combination, and arrangement ofparts hereinafter more fully described, illustrated, and claimed.

While the invention is capable of general application as an acetylenegasgenerator, the preferred embodiment thereof is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in Which- Figure l ,is a general view showing theprotective curb or casin g for the generator seated in the ground andthe service-pipe connection from the curb or casing to a street-lamppost. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional vieW of the protectivecurb or casing and the generating apparatus housed therein.

Fig. 3 is a detail in perspective of the gas bell or holder of thegenerator. Fig. 4-.is a detail in perspective of the generating vesselwith the gas bell or holder removed therefrom. Fig. 5 is a detail inperspective of the carbidsupporting grate. y

The gas-generating apparatus forming the subjectmatter of the presentapplication, While capable of general application for the 6o generationof acetylene gas to be supplied to a single jet or burner, is speciallyconstructed with reference to street-lighting and for use in connectionwith a street-lamp post. So an essential part of the invention is theprovision ofl means for properly housing the apparatus at a pointadjacent to the lamp-post, and to provide for this there is preferablyemployed a protective curb or casing, (designated in the drawings by thenumeral l.)

The protective curb or casin g l is constructed of heavy sheet metal andis preferably made in a cylindrical form, being tightly closed at thebottom and provided with an open top, which removably receives therein ahollow lid'v 7 5 or cover 2. The lid or cover 2 tightly closes the upperopen end of the protective curb or casing l and is constructed hollow,soas to receive therein a iilling of sawdust or other packing 3, whichserves the function of a nonconducting packing for the exclusion offrost from the interior of the curb or casing, and thereby preventsfreezing ofthe Water used for the generation of the gas. The protectivecurb or casing is constructed of a suflicient length so as to disposethe generating apparatus belenr the frost-line and is designed to beplaced Within the ground at a point adjacent to the lamp-post 4, asplainly illustrated in Fig. lof the drawings, the top of the curb orcasing being exposed at the surface of the ground, so that the lid orcover can be readily removed When it is necessary to recharge theapparatus. j

Atapoint adjacent to its upper end the pro- 95 tective curb or casing 1is provided with a lateral offset neck 5, in which is fitted a nipple 6,to the outer end of which nipple is coupled the gas-service pipe 7 forthe lamp-post 4 while the inner end of said nipple has fitted theretoone end of the flexible gas-tube 8, arranged within the protective curbor casing and operatingin connection with the gas-generator proper,which I shall now proceed to describe.

r1`he working parts of the generator are held within a generating vesselor bucket 9, preferably made of heavy sheet metal and of a cylindricalform. The generating vessel 9 is open at the top and has looselyconnected to its top edge an inverted- U -shaped bail 10, providedcentrally between its terminals with a loop or eye 11, to which isloosely connected the lower end of a lift-rod 12, provided at its upperend with a handle 13, which is grasped by the operator when thegenerating apparatus is raised out of orlowered within the protectivecurb or casing 1, it being understood that when the apparatus is inservice the generating vessel 9 rests directly on the bottom of the curbor casing, as plainly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, and byreason of the loose connection of the bail 10 with the vessel said bailwill normally drop to a position on the rim ot' the vessel.

rPhe generating vessel 9 is entirely closed, except at the top, and hasarranged therein a carbid-receptacle 14. The carbid-receptacle 14essentially comprises a circular rim 15 of a less diameter than thevessel 9 anda carbid-supporting grate 16, rigidly7 fitted within thelower portion of the said rim. The circular rim 15 ot' thecarbid-receptacle is entirely open at the top and bottom and is held inan elevated position above the bottom of the generating vessel 9 bymeans of the short supporting-legs 17a, rigidly connected at their upperends with the lower edge of the rim 15 and securely fastened at theirlower ends, as at 18, to the bottom of the said vessel 9. By reason ofthe leg connection 17 between the rim 15 and the bottom ot the vessel 9the carbid-receptacle 14 is carried by the generating vessel as a rigidpart thereof, while at the same time being held in a position within theVessel whereby the water may readily pass upward through the rim 15 andthe carbid-supporting grate to the carbid to providefor the generationof the acetylene gas.

The carbid-supporting grate 1G essentiall7 comprises a pair of tlatright-angularly-crossing supporting-strips 17 and a plurality of .datconcentric circular bands 19, intersecting and supported by the saidstrips 17. The flat supporting-strips 17 of the grate extenddiametrically across the chamber confined within the rim 15 and arerigidly connected at their ends to the rim at diametrically-oppositepoints, and to provide for the proper support of the ilat circular bands19 the said fiat strips 17 are provided in their upper edges 4with aplurality ot' vertically-disposed notches, in which are seated the loweredges ot' the said circular bands 19. The series of concentric flatcircular bands 19 are spaced at regular distances apart to form, inconnection with the flat strips 17, elongated segmental meshes throughwhich the water rises and -falls as it passes to and recedes from thechemical on the grate, and at this point it will be observed that theupper edges of the concentric circular bands 19 project above the planeof the upper edges of the strips 17, so as to prevent lodging ofparticles of carbid at the corners of the meshes. rllhis construction ofgrate also insures a washing action of the Water as it rises and fallsthrough the meshes of the grate against the flat vertical sides of thestrips and bands 17 and 19 forming the same, while at the same timepermitting a free passage of the water to the carbid at all points onthe grate, so that there will be a uniform generation of gas through theentire interior area of the carbid-receptacle 14.

To provide for the collection and distribution of the gas generatedwithin the carbidreceptacle 14, there is employed a gas bell or holder21. The gas bell or holder 21 is of the usual cup form and is arrangedin an inverted position over the carbid-receptacle 14, so that thedepending shell of said bell or holder will extend through the spacebetween the rim 15 and the wall of the vessel 9 to a point in closeproximity to the bottom of said vessel, while the flat closed top of thebell or holder will rest directly on the top edge ot' the rim 15 of thecarbid-receptacle. The bell or holder 21 is necessarily entirely open atits lower end to provide for the free passage of the Water from theinterior of the generating vessel to the carbid-receptacle, and at itstop the gas bell or holder is provided with a central conical gas-pocket22, from which is projected a short neck or nipple 23, to which isfitted one end of the flexible gas-tube S.

When arranged in position within the vessel 9 and over thecarbid-receptacle 14, the gas bell or holder 21 is held rigidly in placeby a plurality of fastening-arms 24. The fastening-arms 24 consist ofstraight strips hinged or pivoted at one end, as at 25, to the top edgeof the generating vessel 9 a`t regularly-spaced points, the hinged orpivotal connection between said arms and the vessel permitting theformer to be readily swung into and out of the vessel to provide forfastening and releasing the gas bell orholder 21. At their free ends thestraight fastening-rods 24 are provided with the angled engaging feet26, which when the arms are swung inward within the generating vessel 9are adapted to bear directly against the iiat top of the gas bell orholder, and thereby prevent upward displacement of the same under thepressure of the generated gas. When the generator is to be recharged,the hinged fastening-arms 24 are swung outward over the top edge of thegenerating vessel, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, so that the gasbell or holder can be readily lifted out of the vessel.

In the operation of the generator it will be understood that the Waterwhich is placed within the generating vessel 9 passes around the bottomedge of the gas bell or holder and upward through the grate 16 to thecarbid supported thereon. The usual chemical reaction takes place, andthe acetylene gas IOO TIO

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which is evolved collects in the gas-pocket 22 and thence passes throughthe exible gastube S to the service-pipe 7 for the burner.

l/Vhen it is desired to charge the generator, the lid or cover 2 of theprotective curb or casing is first removed and then by grasping thelift-rod l2 the entire generating apparatus can be lifted out of theprotective curb or casing l. By now releasing the hinged fastening-arms24 from engagement with the gas bell or holder this part of thegenerator may also be readily removed, so that a fresh supply of carbidcan be placed Within the receptacle lat on the grate 16. The bell orholder 2l is next replaced and secured in position by the arms 24 andsufficient Water placed in the vessel 9 until it rises to a level abovethe top of the gas bell or holder, after which the apparatus is loweredagain into the protective curb or casing ready for use. By placing thismeasured quantity of Water into the generating vessel the gas Will beproduced under the proper pressure and will continue to be evolvedsteadily and uniformly until the full charge of chemical is entirelyexhausted.

From the foregoing it is thought that the construction,operation, andmany advantages of the herein-described acetylene-gas generator willreadily be understood by those skilled in the art Without furtherdescription, and it will be understood that changes in the form,proportion, and minor details of construction may be resorted to withoutsacrificing any of the advantages or departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. In an acetylene-gas generator, the gasfiat top portion restingdirectly on the top edge of the rim, and a plurality of fasteningarmsattached to the generating vessel and arranged to engage With the top ofthe bell to hold the same rigidly upon said rim, substantially as setforth.

2. In a gas-generator, a generating vessel having an interiorchemical-receptacle provided With a'circular rirn elevated above thebottom of the vessel,a gas-bell inverted Within the vessel and having afiat top portion resting on the top edge of the rim, and a plurality offastening-arms hinged at one end to the top edge of the vessel andprovided at their free ends with angled terminals forming engaging feetadapted to engage flatly against the top portion of the bell, said armsbeing capable of swinging over the top edge of the vessel into andWholly outside of the latter, substantially as set forth.

3. In a gas-generating apparatus, the coinbination of the curb or casinghaving an open upper end, and provided below the latter With a' fixedside-service connection, a removable closure for the open upper end ofthe curb or casing, a receptacle holding all of the Working parts of thegenerator and removably seated within the curb or casing on the bettomthereof, a iiexible tube connecting the side-service connection with thegas-outlet of the generator, and of a sufficient length to permit theremoval of the receptacle with `all of its contained parts through theopen top of the curb or casing and past the iixed connection for thetube, a bail connected With the receptacle, and a lifting-rod connectedwith the bail and normally housed Within the casing below the removableclosure, substanA tially as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixedmy signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

ALVAH M. GRIFFIN. Witnesses:

VIc'roR ANDERSON, FRANK P. GRAHAM.

